on friday, president obama met with the four top congressional leaders here at the white house for about an hour. sources close to those talks say that the president gave lawmakers two options, either come up with a plan that can make it through both chambers or put his proposal up for a vote. under the president's plan, the bush-era tax cuts would be extended for those making $250,000 or less with rates allowed to raise on top income earners. it would also extend unemployment insurance benefits. president obama saying the time for action is now. >> the american people are not going to have any patience for a politically self-inflicted wound. ordinary folks, they do their jobs. they meet deadlines. they sit down, and they discuss things and then things happen. if there are disagreements, they sort through the disagreements. the notion that our elected leadership can't do the same thing is mind-boggling to them. it needs to stop. >> reporter: and congressional leaders called friday's talks constructive. >> we'll be working hard to see if we can get there in the next 24 hours. so i'm hopef